Locomotive drive-wheel.



J. P. FRANKLIN. V LOOOMOTIVE DRIVE WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1912.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

WITNESSES [NVE TOR M, Z M

JOHN F. FRANKLIN, OF, YELLOW PINE, ALABAMA.

LOCOMOTIVE DRIVE-WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 24, 1912.

Application filed May 28, 1912. Serial No. 700,233.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. FRANKLIN, citizen of the United States, residing at Yellow Pine, in the county of Vashington and State of Alabama, have invented new and useful Improvements in Locomotive Drive-\Vheels, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention pertains to locomotive drive wheels, and more particularly to drive wheels such as are embodied in 1000- motives of the longitudinal gear-shaft type.

The object of the invention is to provide a locomotive drive wheel of the kind stated, in which the beveled gear is so arranged relative to the spokes that all strain, incidental to the rotation of the wheel through the medium of the gear, is taken off the bolts employed to connect the gear and spokes, and is placed on the spokes, and at the same time the gear is enabled to fill the spaces intermediate the spokes, and in that way contribute to the strength and durability of the wheel as a whole.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a gear constructed in such manner that it may be expeditiously and easily connected by an engineer or machinist of ordinary skill to a locomotive drive wheel of the kind stated.

Other advantageous features of the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims when the same are read in connection with the draw ings, accompanying and forming part of this specification, in which:

Figure 1 is a. side elevation of a locomotive drive wheel embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a diametrical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the opposite side of the wheel to that shown in Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all of the views of the drawings.

The hub 1 and the rim 2 may be and preferably are of the conventional construction to be found in locomotive drivewheels of the type referred to. The spokes 3 are also of conventional construction with the exception that each is preferably provided at an intermediate point of its length with a portion t of dovetail shape to snugly occupy one of the spaces in the annular flange of the gear, as hereinafter described. Obviously the said portions 4 may be formed by an engineer or machinist of ordinary skill, and from this it follows that the improved gear may be readily applied to a locomotive drive-wheel such as at present in use.

The gear in practice is annular in form and about twenty-four inches in diameter, and is cast or otherwise formed in one piece. It comprises the beveled toothed portion 5, and the inwardly-directed flange 6; the two being joined and spaced apart by a circumferentially grooved portion 7. The flange 6 is provided in its face with radial notches 8 corresponding in number to the spokes 8, and these notches are preferably of dovetail shape in order to snugly receive the intermediate portions 4: of the spokes. In the portions of the flange 6 that form the back walls of the notches 8 are transverse apertures 9 for the reception of the bolts that effect connection of the gear to the spokes.

The dovetail configuration of the spoke portions t and the notches 8 is preferable because it precludes any movement of the gear lengthwise 0f the spokes and in that way removes strain from the connecting bolts 10. It will also be manifest that the disposition of the spokes in the notches of the gear flange is advantageous because when the gear is rotated by a pinion, not shown, on a longitudinal shaft of the locomotive, all strain, incidental to the rotation of the drive-wheel through the medium of the gear, will be taken off the bolts and placed directly against the spokes. At the same time the gear will brace the spokes and add increased strength to the wheel as a whole.

From the foregoing it follows that there is no liability of the connecting bolts 10 wearing large holes in either the gear or the spokes and impairing the usefulness of the wheel, and consequently my novel gear has the quality of materially prolonging the usefulness of the wheel.

WVhile the gear is shown as applied to the flanged or inner side of the wheel, it is manifest that when conditions so require the gear may be applied to the outer side of the wheel without involving departure from the scope of my claimed invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, 1s:

1. A locomotive drive wheel, comprising a hub, a rim, spokes intermediate the hub and the rim and having intermediate portions of dovetail form, a gear, of annular form, having a beveled toothed portion, and also having a flange separated from said toothed portion by a circuinterentially grooved portion and provided in its face with radial dovetail shaped notches that snugly receive the dovetail portions of the spokes, and connecting bolts extending through registered apertures in the spokes and the back Walls of the notches.

2. A locomotive drive wheel comprising a hub, a i'il'l'l, spokes intermediate the hub and riln, a gear, of annular form, having a beveled toothed portion and also having a flange provided in its face With radial notches that extend throughout its thickness and snugly receive portions of the spokes, and bolts connecting the spokes and the back Walls of said notches.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN F. FRANKLIN.

'Witnesses S. M. NnUooMn, M. C. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. (1. 

